I have inspected this guitar in detail and played it for about 3 hours as a most entertaining operational check.

What we have here is a paradox of G.A.S. (Guitar Acquisition Syndrome); Make / keep a guitar as original as possible, OR, configure and set it up for playing better than how it came from the factory. This guitar is a rare jobber of the Kay Value Leader, without a headstock logo as was common with a lot of jobbers; None of it's panels had ever been opened up; It still has it's factory setup; It has hardly any playing wear but quite a bit of handling marks ....Soul from a collector's perspective ....Mojo from a Player's perspective. An excellent specimen for either a Collector or Player.

As a collection piece this guitar needs nothing more than 2 knobs and a rear strap button; It's otherwise configured just like it came from the factory. I do have some reservations about whether the tuning machines are original, but if I had to I'd bet they are, as some of the first original parts that American guitar makers first started to import for economy guitars right around 1964. It also has a rare factory set up for a strap to attach to a rear strap button while the other end of the strap would have a sturdy lanyard cord to tie around the neck just behind the neck nut ....voila Elvis Presley and other early rockers style.

As a playing guitar it is quite easy to configure and set up to a Player's preferences. I have really enjoyed playing this guitar a number of times during the inspecting and reporting shown on these webpages. But please note that the middle pickup's tone cap or leads will require some operational attention or the cap replaced; And I would not dare disturb the factory original electronics UNLESS a Buyer requested I do so. Also note suggestions I have posted on these webpages to share some helpful knowledge & opinion.

--- All 3 pickups on: Mixes what would be expected of the above descriptions. I think the pickups

rewired in series or series-parallel would sound much fuller with all 3 on.

Electronics:

I am not about to disturb this untouched all-original electronics assembly; But I can see and make an educated / experienced guess about the electronics said below. I applied a thin coat of proper oil onto the electronics casings as a corrosion inhibitor:

--- All original electronics, wiring and soldering.

--- Each pickup has tone and volume controls.

--- Four position switch selects between neck, middle, bridge, and all pickups.

--- CTS pots; All are model 29A0008; Values unmarked / unknown. I am making a good guess that

these matching-model pots are 250K.

--- Tone caps are .1MFD, 200VDC (max tolerance rating).

--- All electronics are mounted to the bottom of the metal pickguard. The entire electronics assembly

--- Switch knob is non-original. Dakaware lever switch knob is still quite available for under $10.

--- Tuners non-original? It is my opinion that these tuners are original to the guitar; A marketing

economy / budget minded part for a jobber guitar. If they are original then they would be an

excellent example of the beginning of parts being imported from Japan (theses are the rather

standard open strip tuners common on Japanese guitars of the 1960's and 1970's.-

------------ oOo ------------

I will be delighted to find and replace the correct parts for this guitar, and / or set the guitar up to a Buyers preferences (and help him / her determine preferences if they don't already know), for an ADDITIONAL shop / labor fee of $100 PLUS the cost of parts which should be around $50.

------------

KAY CATALOG DESCRIPTION:

Kay Value Leader (model number) 1963.

VALUE is a matter of getting the most for your money--whatever the price, You will find that though the Thinline Electrics (1, 2 and 3 pickup models) range in price from $69.95 to $169.50--each gives you the best in tone and looks for the money. Each is unbeatable for value.

#1963 has three powerful pickup units, each with its own separate tone and volume control. It is equipped with an instantaneous selector switch, which enables you to play each unit separately, or all three together. $99.95.

In the early 1950's, we at Kay pioneered the thin, semi-solid electric with the revolutionary--and very successful--"Thin Twin". Now, we feel we have perfected the semi-solid electric with the "THINLINE" ELECTRICS -- instruments made expressly for today's people, to express today's music. In sound, they combine the pure, brilliant tone of the electric, with the rich undertones of the acoustical guitar. In looks, they're an eyecatching, beautifully proportioned design--lightweight and slim (18" long, 13 1/2" wide, 1 3/4" slim). In playing quality, they give you a new, short (24 5/8") pro scale, for faster-than-ever fingering...a cutaway shape that makes the high notes easy to reach....and the most responsive electrical componants. Their value is unbeatable.

THE VALUE LEADER combines the best of our craftsman's skills, technicians' know-how and designer's flair that 50 years in the music business have taught us. Result: a superb instrument at the top-value price.

The body is laminated, crack-proof maple, and the slim neck is reinforced. The fingerboard is made of hard "rock" maple, and the five large position markers are hand-inlaid. Professional frets, extra-wide white celluloid binding on the top and back edges of the body, and an adjustable "rock" maple bridge. Nickel-plated trapeze tailpiece, and fine electric guitar strings. The finish is dark brown, with a shining sunburst on top and back.

I have inspected this guitar in detail and played it for about 3 hours as a most entertaining operational check.

What we have here is a paradox of G.A.S. (Guitar Acquisition Syndrome); Make / keep a guitar as original as possible, OR, configure and set it up for playing better than how it came from the factory. This guitar is a rare jobber of the Kay Value Leader, without a headstock logo as was common with a lot of jobbers; None of it's panels had ever been opened up; It still has it's factory setup; It has hardly any playing wear but quite a bit of handling marks ....Soul from a collector's perspective ....Mojo from a Player's perspective. An excellent specimen for either a Collector or Player.

As a collection piece this guitar needs nothing more than 2 knobs and a rear strap button; It's otherwise configured just like it came from the factory. I do have some reservations about whether the tuning machines are original, but if I had to I'd bet they are, as some of the first original parts that American guitar makers first started to import for economy guitars right around 1964. It also has a rare factory set up for a strap to attach to a rear strap button while the other end of the strap would have a sturdy lanyard cord to tie around the neck just behind the neck nut ....voila Elvis Presley and other early rockers style.

As a playing guitar it is quite easy to configure and set up to a Player's preferences. I have really enjoyed playing this guitar a number of times during the inspecting and reporting shown on these webpages. But please note that the middle pickup's tone cap or leads will require some operational attention or the cap replaced; And I would not dare disturb the factory original electronics UNLESS a Buyer requested I do so. Also note suggestions I have posted on these webpages to share some helpful knowledge & opinion.

--- All 3 pickups on: Mixes what would be expected of the above descriptions. I think the pickups

rewired in series or series-parallel would sound much fuller with all 3 on.

Electronics:

I am not about to disturb this untouched all-original electronics assembly; But I can see and make an educated / experienced guess about the electronics said below. I applied a thin coat of proper oil onto the electronics casings as a corrosion inhibitor:

--- All original electronics, wiring and soldering.

--- Each pickup has tone and volume controls.

--- Four position switch selects between neck, middle, bridge, and all pickups.

--- CTS pots; All are model 29A0008; Values unmarked / unknown. I am making a good guess that

these matching-model pots are 250K.

--- Tone caps are .1MFD, 200VDC (max tolerance rating).

--- All electronics are mounted to the bottom of the metal pickguard. The entire electronics assembly

--- Switch knob is non-original. Dakaware lever switch knob is still quite available for under $10.

--- Tuners non-original? It is my opinion that these tuners are original to the guitar; A marketing

economy / budget minded part for a jobber guitar. If they are original then they would be an

excellent example of the beginning of parts being imported from Japan (theses are the rather

standard open strip tuners common on Japanese guitars of the 1960's and 1970's.-

------------ oOo ------------

I will be delighted to find and replace the correct parts for this guitar, and / or set the guitar up to a Buyers preferences (and help him / her determine preferences if they don't already know), for an ADDITIONAL shop / labor fee of $100 PLUS the cost of parts which should be around $50.

------------

KAY CATALOG DESCRIPTION:

Kay Value Leader (model number) 1963.

VALUE is a matter of getting the most for your money--whatever the price, You will find that though the Thinline Electrics (1, 2 and 3 pickup models) range in price from $69.95 to $169.50--each gives you the best in tone and looks for the money. Each is unbeatable for value.

#1963 has three powerful pickup units, each with its own separate tone and volume control. It is equipped with an instantaneous selector switch, which enables you to play each unit separately, or all three together. $99.95.

In the early 1950's, we at Kay pioneered the thin, semi-solid electric with the revolutionary--and very successful--"Thin Twin". Now, we feel we have perfected the semi-solid electric with the "THINLINE" ELECTRICS -- instruments made expressly for today's people, to express today's music. In sound, they combine the pure, brilliant tone of the electric, with the rich undertones of the acoustical guitar. In looks, they're an eyecatching, beautifully proportioned design--lightweight and slim (18" long, 13 1/2" wide, 1 3/4" slim). In playing quality, they give you a new, short (24 5/8") pro scale, for faster-than-ever fingering...a cutaway shape that makes the high notes easy to reach....and the most responsive electrical componants. Their value is unbeatable.

THE VALUE LEADER combines the best of our craftsman's skills, technicians' know-how and designer's flair that 50 years in the music business have taught us. Result: a superb instrument at the top-value price.

The body is laminated, crack-proof maple, and the slim neck is reinforced. The fingerboard is made of hard "rock" maple, and the five large position markers are hand-inlaid. Professional frets, extra-wide white celluloid binding on the top and back edges of the body, and an adjustable "rock" maple bridge. Nickel-plated trapeze tailpiece, and fine electric guitar strings. The finish is dark brown, with a shining sunburst on top and back.